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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To not trust step grandad with my son

112 replies

Xina · 10/12/2016 19:10

I trust my mother with my life which is why I trust her to have my son over night once a week, but for her to leave him with her boyfriend that she has been with 2 years while she nips out here there and everywhere is not okay to me? AIBU? I have known him 2 years he is a nice guy but has had previous alcoholism, and has mental health issues and tbh I don't know that I trust him to be with my son alone, I have no issues with him I think he's great but I really don't know him, know him do I? Am I being Absolutely ridiculous or should I bring this up with her?

OP posts:
NavyandWhite · 10/12/2016 20:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LagunaBubbles · 10/12/2016 20:12

So if the mental health problems aren't really the issue it just comes down to end fact he's a man doesn't it?

Italiangreyhound · 10/12/2016 20:12

Xina to me your mum is totally being unreasonable here, she has been given the chance to look after her grandson one night a week, which she presumably wants to do, and then she goes and runs errands. Things which could presumably be done on other days or the other 6 nights when she does not look after your son, or could be done by her partner.

You left her in charge of your son and she has gone off and left him, all be it with her partner, whom she completely trusts. But you do not trust him. You can't put your finger on why, but you do not.

So go with your gut instinct always and do what you think is right.

Italiangreyhound · 10/12/2016 20:18

WeatherwaxOrOgg I am so sorry about your experiences and also about the reaction of your parents.

Navyandwhite it does not matter why the Op doesn't feel comfortable with this, she just doesn't.

LagunaBubbles "So if the mental health problems aren't really the issue it just comes down to end fact he's a man doesn't it?" This is not necessarily the case. But even if it were, mistrusting men because they are men is not an offence. It does not make all men are bad, it just means enough women have had bad experiences of men to be 'wary'.

Xina, in your shoes - I would be to tell your mum it is not working out for you and you would like a break from the one night a week at grandma's house.

The alternative is to stick wth something you are not happy with or you tell her you are unhappy and prepare for her to:
a) get the hump
b) tell her partner, which could cause a family 'issue'
c) nod and agree and still let her dp look after the boy
d) any or all of the above

e) understand what you mean and look after your son herself

If you seriously think she will do any of the a-d options then it is easier just to say it is not working out.

Personally, I would lay off the Take a break magazines, they freak me out too, if I read them. But no one on this thread can tell you it is totally safe and really you do need to trust your gut, you can always change your mind when your son is older.

There is someone in my life who I would never allow my kids to be looked after by overnight. No proof or evidence at all, no real suspicions, just a feeling I have. It could be lack of appropriate supervision or something more, it could be attitude around kids etc, whatever - just trust your gut.

BigFatBollocks · 10/12/2016 20:23

He's done nothing wrong but anyone can do anything if put in a position of trust (including family members). As a mother I'm ultra cautious so much so that I wouldn't entertain having a boyfriend as my 3 children r too young (10, 6, 5). It's just not worth the risk, in my view. (I know the op isn't talking about her boyfriend btw).

Wolfiefan · 10/12/2016 20:24

I think it's a massive over reaction to say only immediate family can ever watch your child. You seem to have no reason why this man is a danger.
Either say to your mum she's the one in charge of your child. Please don't leave him with anyone else, stop using her for childcare or watch your child and this man interact and see how you feel.
Your child. Your decision. But eventually he will need to be in the care of people other than your family.

BigFatBollocks · 10/12/2016 20:25

LAGUNA, it's usually the men tho, isn't it?

MyGastIsFlabbered · 10/12/2016 20:26

If the MH issues aren't main problem why mention them? FFS this is EXACTLY why people (including myself) are reluctant to disclose them.

If you're not happy leaving your son with your mother's partner then don't do it.

NavyandWhite · 10/12/2016 20:27

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BigFatBollocks · 10/12/2016 20:29

WOLF, yeh, gotta let ur child go to others at some point i.e. school etc, that's normal life but to have a choice? U give me that choice and I'm gonna say no.

BigFatBollocks · 10/12/2016 20:30

Btw way op I'm not saying don't do it I'm saying that I wouldn't do it.

kali110 · 10/12/2016 20:35

LagunaBubbles yep. Even Though he's never given the op a reason and seems to love the ds.... He's a man Confused

Xina · 10/12/2016 20:37

He's not in a position of trust I didn't ask him to watch my ds, I didn't even ask my dm to watch him she asked me if she could, I agreed once a week only it turns out the past few times he's not been with her hes been with him for an hour or so here and there WITHOUT my permission. And tbh the background story is that my cousin was sexually abused by our grandfather a long long time ago (he was 10 years older than the youngest in the family) and told everyone not to trust this man everyone thought he was BU but he wasn't and it turns out my aunt (cousins mum) was a victim of his sexual assault when she was a kid but didn't say anything so I'm always on high alert after this and so was my mum untill she met her bf

OP posts:
Xina · 10/12/2016 20:39

I just remember my aunt saying don't trust him, all the time but I didn't know why if she had of told me it would have been easier to understand

OP posts:
LovingLola · 10/12/2016 20:39

Well are you free on the nights he goes to your mother's house ? So that if you find out your mother has left him with her partner that you can then go and collect him? Or is she taking him while you work?

Ahickiefromkinickie · 10/12/2016 20:41

Obviously this man sounds perfectly decent but I also agree that you should do what feels right for you.

Just tell your mum that she is one of only 3 people that you can trust at the moment to have sole care of your DS and that you hope she doesn't take it personally against her partner.

BigFatBollocks · 10/12/2016 20:43

He's in a position of trust by default.

Notnownornever · 10/12/2016 20:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Xina · 10/12/2016 20:44

It's just at times like this I don't understand why she didn't tell her child or he nephews and nieces about his assault and continued to let us go there

OP posts:
Mynestisfullofempty · 10/12/2016 20:48

If your mum needs to go out when she has your son, maybe another evening would be better. I don't see the point in wanting your son with her and then going out.

Mynestisfullofempty · 10/12/2016 20:49

Is there any reason why you can't accompany your son sometimes and have a family evening together?

Coconut0il · 10/12/2016 20:49

If you feel uncomfortable with it Xina I wouldn't let him go. Regardless of anything else if you are not happy with the situation keep him at home.

Chippednailvarnishing · 10/12/2016 20:49

The op hasn't ever left her child with the partner. Her DM has made that decision and not told her. I wouldn't be happy OP, I don't think you are over reacting.

lottiegarbanzo · 10/12/2016 20:50

I think it's fine and normal not to want someone you don't really know in sole charge of your child.

That's enough, from my pov. The point is that you don't know him, not well enough to form a view on his child care capabilities. What little you do know is not really relevant.

BigFatBollocks · 10/12/2016 20:52

So it's about your mums choices. If my mum had have done that, then I know exactly how I would feel. Given this information I don't get why u're actually asking. Surely u know yourself.
I'm off. This is bollocks.

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